Event preview: Super excitement as super Suzuka returns to EWC schedule

The all-action FIM Endurance World Championship is back on track next week with the long-awaited return of a truly iconic event, the 43rd Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race. Signalling the start of part two of the 2022 EWC season, the Suzuka 8 Hours has been absent from the calendar since it last took place in 2019 due to the global health pandemic.

Its return from 4-7 August, therefore, has been eagerly anticipated by fans and competitors alike, with a number of EWC regulars – plus some of Japan’s best riders and their teams – preparing to take on the challenge of the ultra-exciting Suzuka Circuit layout. Ad/> As well as the unique figure-of-eight track design and blend of fast-, medium- and low-speed corners, ambient temperatures could top 35 degrees centigrade with humidity at 40 per cent, making for a demanding week of EWC competition.

FIM EWCCountdown to EWC Suzuka 8 Hours: From low times to high times for YART25/07/2022 AT 20:46 Japan’s EWC round is the only race on this year’s calendar not run for 24 hours. While the twice-around-the-clock races run in 2022 have delivered non-stop action with riders pushing from start to finish in their pursuit of glory, the Suzuka 8 Hours will be even more intense.

Taking the Le Mans-style running start at 11h30 local time (04h30 CET) on Sunday 7 August, riders race through the heat of the day, through sunset and into early evening with the chequered flag scheduled to be waved to the winner of this prestigious race at 19h30. NEW NAMES ON THE GRID AS EWC TITLE RACE HEADS EAST Several riders and teams yet to showcase their respective skills and capabilities in this season’s EWC will join the chase for Suzuka success, while there has also been a change to the Yoshimura SERT